Food allergy

Reactions

Some allergens can have life-threatening symptoms

Food allergens

An allergic reaction can happen within a few seconds up to a few hours after the food is eaten

Involves the immune system & makes the body produce a substance called histamine & other chemicals, which leads to a variety of symptoms

Symptoms

Skin rashes - usually raised, red patches called hives

People with a very serious allergy can go into anaphylactic shock. This is usually very sudden & very serious, because of the symptoms including swelling of the mouth & throat & not being able to swallow, speak or breathe properly

Someone suffering from an anaphylactic shock must be given medical treatment asap as it can be deadly

Most common foods that cause allergies

Eggs

Milk

Fish

Crustaceans

Molluscs

Soya

Nuts

Seeds

Celery

Mustard

Lupin

Preservatives

Kiwi

Strawberries

Oranges

Must avoid what they're allergic to in any form - including checking medicines

Law requires that food containing known allergens must clearly say so on the label